Cardinals’ Marco Wilson picks off Tom Brady twice in Christmas loss vs. Bucs

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson woke up on Christmas morning with one career interception and ended the day with three.

The second-year defensive back out of Florida intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady twice on Sunday night, albeit in a losing effort, 19-16 in overtime.

His first was caught at the Arizona 2-yard line on a deep ball Brady released while getting hit by rookie Cameron Thomas. Wilson adjusted his body positioning with the ball in the air to come down with it.

Marco Wilson gets the INT!

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— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2022

He returned the ball to the Arizona 41-yard line, although the Cardinals were unable to capitalize and score on offense.

Still, the takeaway kept the Cardinals deficit at 6-3, and Arizona tied the game with a Matt Prater field goal going into the half.

The second interception was in the third quarter.

Wilson was lined up against wide receiver Mike Evans, who got a step on the young CB on a post. Brady released the ball late, though, and Wilson made a play by making up ground and catching the ball while leaping in front of Evans at the Arizona 19-yard line.

Another Marco Wilson INT! ✌️ @MJW_era

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— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2022

He became the 14th player to intercept Brady twice in a game over the QB’s storied career.

The Cardinals drove to the Tampa Bay 21-yard line on the ensuing series, and Prater gave them their first lead of the ballgame, 9-6, with another field goal early in the fourth quarter.

The Arizona defense shined on Sunday night, as the offense adjusted to life with Trace McSorley filling in for Colt McCoy (concussion).

J.J. Watt followed up a three-sack performance last week by being a disruptive force against the run game. He produced two tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback hits.

Safety Jalen Thompson knocked away a deep ball in the end zone late in the fourth quarter on a third down.

Wilson, though, spent much of the final stretch of the game off the field, as he went to the locker room in the fourth quarter. He was holding his hand/wrist area.

Hurdles

The Cardinals elevated Pharoh Cooper from the practice squad to return kicks, and he got the crowd going in the third quarter.

Cooper returned a punt 28 yards into Bucs territory. He capped the return with a hurdle over Tampa Bay punter Jake Camarada.

Punt return hurdle 🔥 @KingTutt_chdown

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Cooper fielded the ball despite being interfered with, although no call was made.

Arizona used the field position and score their first touchdown of the game on a James Conner 22-yard run. That gave them a 16-6 lead.

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